Abraham Lincoln's election was favorably influenced by the influx of German revolutionaries who fled Europe after the failed revolutions of 1848. Then, his agenda to establish a central government with unlimited political power caused the American Civil War. This fascinating book puts forth these arguments and also explores how, after the war, the legality of secession was viewed.
John Avery Emison is an environmental scientist who has worked as a science reporter for the Oak Ridge (TN) Oakridger and as an editor of a business newspaper in eastern Tennessee. He has a keen interest in Southern history and constitutional law. Emison graduated with a BA in liberal arts from Union University, MS in physical geography from Memphis State University, and PhD in resource geography from Oregon State University. He resides in Alamo, Tennessee.